Dale Finucane

[cochise]

Agree mate its all we can do. The Nofo one was poor. Adding to the fact we now signed big Ken, we now have two wingers signed till end of 2024 and 2025 respectfully, blocking any pathway for anyone else. If someone else does break through, we have a well paid winger in reserve grade.

Hopefully if we land 1-2 (even if a bit overpaid) and they come off, it will entice more players to do so. Knights and Dogs overpaid Burton/Ponga without much experience as a gamble, we might need to do the same.

It hasn't worked for either of those teams yet.

 

[compensate]

Agree mate its all we can do. The Nofo one was poor. Adding to the fact we now signed big Ken, we now have two wingers signed till end of 2024 and 2025 respectfully, blocking any pathway for anyone else. If someone else does break through, we have a well paid winger in reserve grade.

Hopefully if we land 1-2 (even if a bit overpaid) and they come off, it will entice more players to do so. Knights and Dogs overpaid Burton/Ponga without much experience as a gamble, we might need to do the same.

It hasn't worked for either of those teams yet.

I’m just saying, I’d take Kalyn Ponga in a heartbeat. He’s definitely worked out for the Knights and will only get better with more experience

 

[Demps]

Agree mate its all we can do. The Nofo one was poor. Adding to the fact we now signed big Ken, we now have two wingers signed till end of 2024 and 2025 respectfully, blocking any pathway for anyone else. If someone else does break through, we have a well paid winger in reserve grade.

Hopefully if we land 1-2 (even if a bit overpaid) and they come off, it will entice more players to do so. Knights and Dogs overpaid Burton/Ponga without much experience as a gamble, we might need to do the same.

It hasn't worked for either of those teams yet.

I’m just saying, I’d take Kalyn Ponga in a heartbeat. He’s definitely worked out for the Knights and will only get better with more experience

I think there's more hype to that boy than actual ability...

I noticed in Origin 3 he looked busy but wasn't really doing that much.
Had a few brilliant touches no doubt....

However, the 9 team were praising him a bit too much... Ben Hunt was the real deal in that game though, he was unreal.

With Pongas running style I think it'd surely be projected a lot more issues down the track when it comes to injuries.

 

[tig_prmz]

Brent Read saying 6 clubs in for Dale. Thinks titans have nose in front. Also, either this week or next he'll most likely make a decision

Article on NRL.com says
Dragons (talks earlier in the year)
Cowboys (offical 3 year offer)
Gold Coast
Newcastle
Storm
6th club???

https://www.nrl.com/news/2021/07/15/dragons-up-ante-in-finucane-hunt-as-griffin-juggles-bans/

Problem is at the moment, any time we are up against another club, we never sign the player, unless we pay overs.

Seriously think of all our signings the last few years, has a player ever chosen us when theyve had a serious other offer?

Correct. I don't blame anyone but that is reality. It's why missing out on players isn't bad. We are paying overs so getting them may be worse than not getting them.

It's like Nofo. I reckon he is a good player and one of the first picked especially with our outside backs. The thing is we overpaid to retain him on too long a term. If we missed out on getting him people would have been going crazy but it would have been better for us.

I think we should keep trying to get top players but it's more about getting other teams to pay overs. We may land someone decent at some point as well.

At the same time keep going for developing players who may outperform.

Early last year, we realised that we can't have Corey Thompson and Nofoaluma on both wings as they're both susceptible to high ball. We let Thompson go.

 

[cochise]

Agree mate its all we can do. The Nofo one was poor. Adding to the fact we now signed big Ken, we now have two wingers signed till end of 2024 and 2025 respectfully, blocking any pathway for anyone else. If someone else does break through, we have a well paid winger in reserve grade.

Hopefully if we land 1-2 (even if a bit overpaid) and they come off, it will entice more players to do so. Knights and Dogs overpaid Burton/Ponga without much experience as a gamble, we might need to do the same.

It hasn't worked for either of those teams yet.

I’m just saying, I’d take Kalyn Ponga in a heartbeat. He’s definitely worked out for the Knights and will only get better with more experience

Still haven't made the 8 with him.

 

[compensate]

Brent Read saying 6 clubs in for Dale. Thinks titans have nose in front. Also, either this week or next he'll most likely make a decision

Article on NRL.com says
Dragons (talks earlier in the year)
Cowboys (offical 3 year offer)
Gold Coast
Newcastle
Storm
6th club???

https://www.nrl.com/news/2021/07/15/dragons-up-ante-in-finucane-hunt-as-griffin-juggles-bans/

Problem is at the moment, any time we are up against another club, we never sign the player, unless we pay overs.

Seriously think of all our signings the last few years, has a player ever chosen us when theyve had a serious other offer?

Correct. I don't blame anyone but that is reality. It's why missing out on players isn't bad. We are paying overs so getting them may be worse than not getting them.

It's like Nofo. I reckon he is a good player and one of the first picked especially with our outside backs. The thing is we overpaid to retain him on too long a term. If we missed out on getting him people would have been going crazy but it would have been better for us.

I think we should keep trying to get top players but it's more about getting other teams to pay overs. We may land someone decent at some point as well.

At the same time keep going for developing players who may outperform.

Early last year, we realised that we can't have Corey Thompson and Nofoaluma on both wings as they're both susceptible to high ball. We let Thompson go.

And kept Robert forgot to jump for that one Jennings. Worked well

 

[compensate]

Agree mate its all we can do. The Nofo one was poor. Adding to the fact we now signed big Ken, we now have two wingers signed till end of 2024 and 2025 respectfully, blocking any pathway for anyone else. If someone else does break through, we have a well paid winger in reserve grade.

Hopefully if we land 1-2 (even if a bit overpaid) and they come off, it will entice more players to do so. Knights and Dogs overpaid Burton/Ponga without much experience as a gamble, we might need to do the same.

It hasn't worked for either of those teams yet.

I’m just saying, I’d take Kalyn Ponga in a heartbeat. He’s definitely worked out for the Knights and will only get better with more experience

Still haven't made the 8 with him.

Last year

 

[tig_prmz]

Brent Read saying 6 clubs in for Dale. Thinks titans have nose in front. Also, either this week or next he'll most likely make a decision

Article on NRL.com says
Dragons (talks earlier in the year)
Cowboys (offical 3 year offer)
Gold Coast
Newcastle
Storm
6th club???

https://www.nrl.com/news/2021/07/15/dragons-up-ante-in-finucane-hunt-as-griffin-juggles-bans/

Problem is at the moment, any time we are up against another club, we never sign the player, unless we pay overs.

Seriously think of all our signings the last few years, has a player ever chosen us when theyve had a serious other offer?

Correct. I don't blame anyone but that is reality. It's why missing out on players isn't bad. We are paying overs so getting them may be worse than not getting them.

It's like Nofo. I reckon he is a good player and one of the first picked especially with our outside backs. The thing is we overpaid to retain him on too long a term. If we missed out on getting him people would have been going crazy but it would have been better for us.

I think we should keep trying to get top players but it's more about getting other teams to pay overs. We may land someone decent at some point as well.

At the same time keep going for developing players who may outperform.

Early last year, we realised that we can't have Corey Thompson and Nofoaluma on both wings as they're both susceptible to high ball. We let Thompson go.

And kept Robert forgot to jump for that one Jennings. Worked well

Nope, people were interested in Thompson. No one was interested in Jennings.

Same as last year- we already had Reynolds/Mbye/Brooks/Madden/Douehi signed in the halves. Hence we didn't need Benji. I don't think we let him go because of his performances, we had signed too many others.

 

[earl]

Brent Read saying 6 clubs in for Dale. Thinks titans have nose in front. Also, either this week or next he'll most likely make a decision

Article on NRL.com says
Dragons (talks earlier in the year)
Cowboys (offical 3 year offer)
Gold Coast
Newcastle
Storm
6th club???

https://www.nrl.com/news/2021/07/15/dragons-up-ante-in-finucane-hunt-as-griffin-juggles-bans/

Problem is at the moment, any time we are up against another club, we never sign the player, unless we pay overs.

Seriously think of all our signings the last few years, has a player ever chosen us when theyve had a serious other offer?

Correct. I don't blame anyone but that is reality. It's why missing out on players isn't bad. We are paying overs so getting them may be worse than not getting them.

It's like Nofo. I reckon he is a good player and one of the first picked especially with our outside backs. The thing is we overpaid to retain him on too long a term. If we missed out on getting him people would have been going crazy but it would have been better for us.

I think we should keep trying to get top players but it's more about getting other teams to pay overs. We may land someone decent at some point as well.

At the same time keep going for developing players who may outperform.

Early last year, we realised that we can't have Corey Thompson and Nofoaluma on both wings as they're both susceptible to high ball. We let Thompson go.

You can understand the decision but they should have made the decision on a cap management basis as well.

 

[earl]

Agree mate its all we can do. The Nofo one was poor. Adding to the fact we now signed big Ken, we now have two wingers signed till end of 2024 and 2025 respectfully, blocking any pathway for anyone else. If someone else does break through, we have a well paid winger in reserve grade.

Hopefully if we land 1-2 (even if a bit overpaid) and they come off, it will entice more players to do so. Knights and Dogs overpaid Burton/Ponga without much experience as a gamble, we might need to do the same.

It hasn't worked for either of those teams yet.

I’m just saying, I’d take Kalyn Ponga in a heartbeat. He’s definitely worked out for the Knights and will only get better with more experience

Still haven't made the 8 with him.

He is one of the top players in the comp and worth marquee dollars but he isn't turning the ship around by himself.

 

[cochise]

Agree mate its all we can do. The Nofo one was poor. Adding to the fact we now signed big Ken, we now have two wingers signed till end of 2024 and 2025 respectfully, blocking any pathway for anyone else. If someone else does break through, we have a well paid winger in reserve grade.

Hopefully if we land 1-2 (even if a bit overpaid) and they come off, it will entice more players to do so. Knights and Dogs overpaid Burton/Ponga without much experience as a gamble, we might need to do the same.

It hasn't worked for either of those teams yet.

I’m just saying, I’d take Kalyn Ponga in a heartbeat. He’s definitely worked out for the Knights and will only get better with more experience

Still haven't made the 8 with him.

He is one of the top players in the comp and worth marquee dollars but he isn't turning the ship around by himself.

That's the point though, by paying overs have they limited their chance to build a strong enough squad to support him?

 

[YesHeCheeKam]

Agree mate its all we can do. The Nofo one was poor. Adding to the fact we now signed big Ken, we now have two wingers signed till end of 2024 and 2025 respectfully, blocking any pathway for anyone else. If someone else does break through, we have a well paid winger in reserve grade.

Hopefully if we land 1-2 (even if a bit overpaid) and they come off, it will entice more players to do so. Knights and Dogs overpaid Burton/Ponga without much experience as a gamble, we might need to do the same.

It hasn't worked for either of those teams yet.

I’m just saying, I’d take Kalyn Ponga in a heartbeat. He’s definitely worked out for the Knights and will only get better with more experience

Still haven't made the 8 with him.

He is one of the top players in the comp and worth marquee dollars but he isn't turning the ship around by himself.

That's the point though, by paying overs have they limited their chance to build a strong enough squad to support him?

Remember Newcastle had a roster that was one of the worst in the history NRL around that 2015-2017 stage. There roster was so far behind us at this point.

They have turned it around to a team that can generally compete with others. Ponga was the carrot, but they have since brought in Pearce, Watson, Frizell, Klemmer, who I would argue have had a significantly bigger impact than any of our signings. They might be on the verge of the 8/just inside or out, but they are far closer to pushing to be a contender than say we are. They might be 2 players off, while it feels like we are 8 players off.

 

[earl]

Agree mate its all we can do. The Nofo one was poor. Adding to the fact we now signed big Ken, we now have two wingers signed till end of 2024 and 2025 respectfully, blocking any pathway for anyone else. If someone else does break through, we have a well paid winger in reserve grade.

Hopefully if we land 1-2 (even if a bit overpaid) and they come off, it will entice more players to do so. Knights and Dogs overpaid Burton/Ponga without much experience as a gamble, we might need to do the same.

It hasn't worked for either of those teams yet.

I’m just saying, I’d take Kalyn Ponga in a heartbeat. He’s definitely worked out for the Knights and will only get better with more experience

Still haven't made the 8 with him.

He is one of the top players in the comp and worth marquee dollars but he isn't turning the ship around by himself.

That's the point though, by paying overs have they limited their chance to build a strong enough squad to support him?

I get it. I said earlier that if it is a choice between signing a player and paying overs it's often better to miss the player.

I really don't want to sign Finucane even though I think he is a good player. I think the dollars being talked about are crazy. I bet he isn't on 500k at Melbourne and he is looking for a nice little retirement package.

 

[YesHeCheeKam]

Agree mate its all we can do. The Nofo one was poor. Adding to the fact we now signed big Ken, we now have two wingers signed till end of 2024 and 2025 respectfully, blocking any pathway for anyone else. If someone else does break through, we have a well paid winger in reserve grade.

Hopefully if we land 1-2 (even if a bit overpaid) and they come off, it will entice more players to do so. Knights and Dogs overpaid Burton/Ponga without much experience as a gamble, we might need to do the same.

It hasn't worked for either of those teams yet.

I’m just saying, I’d take Kalyn Ponga in a heartbeat. He’s definitely worked out for the Knights and will only get better with more experience

Still haven't made the 8 with him.

He is one of the top players in the comp and worth marquee dollars but he isn't turning the ship around by himself.

That's the point though, by paying overs have they limited their chance to build a strong enough squad to support him?

I get it. I said earlier that if it is a choice between signing a player and paying overs it's often better to miss the player.

I really don't want to sign Finucane even though I think he is a good player. I think the dollars being talked about are crazy. I bet he isn't on 500k at Melbourne and he is looking for a nice little retirement package.

Agree there. There is a difference between paying overs for a promising junior like Suaali or Ponga than someone on the way out like Finucane or Josh Reynolds. In the first instance, if you hit the right one it can set your club up for years.

 

[Jedi_Tiger]

Finucane is a good player but if he wants 850k to 950k for 3 years it is too big a risk
TPJ is younger and an impact player and cheaper money better spent and upgrade some juniors etc

 

[tig_prmz]

You can understand the decision but they should have made the decision on a cap management basis as well.

Maybe but don't forget last year Noffa was extremely close to Origin as well.

 

[cochise]

You can understand the decision but they should have made the decision on a cap management basis as well.



Maybe but don't forget last year Noffa was extremely close to Origin as well.

Really?

 

[avocadoontoast]

You can understand the decision but they should have made the decision on a cap management basis as well.



Maybe but don't forget last year Noffa was extremely close to Origin as well.

The only person who thought he should have been in origin last year was himself.

 

[innsaneink]

Agree mate its all we can do. The Nofo one was poor. Adding to the fact we now signed big Ken, we now have two wingers signed till end of 2024 and 2025 respectfully, blocking any pathway for anyone else. If someone else does break through, we have a well paid winger in reserve grade.

Hopefully if we land 1-2 (even if a bit overpaid) and they come off, it will entice more players to do so. Knights and Dogs overpaid Burton/Ponga without much experience as a gamble, we might need to do the same.

It hasn't worked for either of those teams yet.

I’m just saying, I’d take Kalyn Ponga in a heartbeat. He’s definitely worked out for the Knights and will only get better with more experience

Still haven't made the 8 with him.

He is one of the top players in the comp and worth marquee dollars but he isn't turning the ship around by himself.

That's the point though, by paying overs have they limited their chance to build a strong enough squad to support him?

I get it. I said earlier that if it is a choice between signing a player and paying overs it's often better to miss the player.

I really don't want to sign Finucane even though I think he is a good player. I think the dollars being talked about are crazy. I bet he isn't on 500k at Melbourne and he is looking for a nice little retirement package.

Agree there. There is a difference between paying overs for a promising junior like Suaali or Ponga than someone on the way out like Finucane or Josh Reynolds. In the first instance, if you hit the right one it can set your club up for years.

I'd say DF would bring 20x more positive energy and
attitude onfield and off it

 

[earl]

Agree mate its all we can do. The Nofo one was poor. Adding to the fact we now signed big Ken, we now have two wingers signed till end of 2024 and 2025 respectfully, blocking any pathway for anyone else. If someone else does break through, we have a well paid winger in reserve grade.

Hopefully if we land 1-2 (even if a bit overpaid) and they come off, it will entice more players to do so. Knights and Dogs overpaid Burton/Ponga without much experience as a gamble, we might need to do the same.

It hasn't worked for either of those teams yet.

I’m just saying, I’d take Kalyn Ponga in a heartbeat. He’s definitely worked out for the Knights and will only get better with more experience

Still haven't made the 8 with him.

He is one of the top players in the comp and worth marquee dollars but he isn't turning the ship around by himself.

That's the point though, by paying overs have they limited their chance to build a strong enough squad to support him?

I get it. I said earlier that if it is a choice between signing a player and paying overs it's often better to miss the player.

I really don't want to sign Finucane even though I think he is a good player. I think the dollars being talked about are crazy. I bet he isn't on 500k at Melbourne and he is looking for a nice little retirement package.

Agree there. There is a difference between paying overs for a promising junior like Suaali or Ponga than someone on the way out like Finucane or Josh Reynolds. In the first instance, if you hit the right one it can set your club up for years.

I'd say DF would bring 20x more positive energy and
attitude onfield and off it

Does that translate to wins. Ponga was mentioned earlier. That guy makes a difference at the highest level. He isn't impacting Newcastle enough on the field.

It's not that DF isn't a good player. He is. You just don't pay the sort of dollars that are being talked about to a player like that. We are talking Mbye/Reynolds type money.